Mesopotamian Civilization Chapter 3

Geography of Mesopotamia

• Mesopotamia means "the land between two rivers," situated between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, flowing from Turkey to the Persian Gulf.
• Bordered by the Arabian Desert to the west and Iranian mountains to the east.

Historical Context

• Mesopotamian civilization dates back to around 3500 BCE and lasted until about 500 BCE.
• The civilization is known as the "Civilization of the Crescent," flourishing in the fertile crescent from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea.

Regions of Mesopotamia

• The southern region, Sumer, was the heart of the civilization, while Babylonia occupied the north, and Akkad was in the central region.
• Assyria was located in the northeast highlands.
• Sumerians initially ruled the civilization, later succeeded by Babylonians and Assyrians, who adopted Mesopotamian customs.

City-States Structure

• Mesopotamia was comprised of city-states, each functioning as an independent political unit.
• Major cities included Babylon, Uruk, Eridu, Lagash, and Ur, each controlling a territory of hundreds of square kilometers.
• City-states frequently battled for resources and power while facing threats from nomadic tribes.

Urban Design

• Cities featured a sacred area with a ziggurat, a temple tower made of sunbaked bricks, built on an artificial hill.
• The ziggurat served as both a religious center and an administrative hub for the city.
• Urban planning was poor, with narrow, messy streets and houses often constructed from mud, reeds, and palm trees.

Social Structure

• Society was hierarchically divided: the king held the highest position, seen as a divine representative.
• Priests held significant power and were the original rulers of the cities.
• Scribes and officers were next, followed by merchants and craftsmen.
• The lowest class consisted of peasants and slaves, many of whom were prisoners of war.

Role of the King

• Kings were once "priest kings," without hereditary succession, responsible for city defense, infrastructure, irrigation, and justice.
• Over time, kings came to be viewed as divine authority.

Economy and Occupations

• Agriculture was the foundation of the economy, with crops including wheat, barley, fruits, and vegetables.
• Advanced irrigation systems, involving canals for perennial water supply, were essential due to sparse rainfall.
• Inventions like the ox-drawn plough and wheeled carts were pivotal for agricultural development.

Trade Practices

• Extensive trade networks connected Mesopotamia with foreign regions, involving routes to the Mediterranean and eastern Africa.
• Key exports included grain, wool, and textiles; imports consisted of copper, lead, timber, luxury goods like ivory and pearls, and silks from India.
• Mesopotamian seals found in the Indus Valley highlight the thriving trade between the two civilizations.